Drapery hook protective pocket



p 1953 J. WIECZOREK v DRAPERY HOOK PROTECTIVE POCKET Filed May 22, 1951 Joseph meczo-rek Patented Sept. 29, 195 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DRAPERY HOOK PROTECTIVE POCKET Joseph Wieczorek, Rockford, Ill., assignor of one-sixth to Dayton L. Johnson, one-sixth to Elmer J. Johnson, and one-sixth to Terrence E. Johnson, all of Rockford, Ill.

Application May 22, 1951, Serial No. 227,718

13 Claims. (01. 160330) This invention relates to a new and improved drapery hook protective pocket for use in dry cleaning establishments to save the cleaners the time and trouble of bending the free ends of the hooks inwardly to keep them from snagging the drapery material during the cleaning process, and thereafter having to bend these free ends outwardly again, that old practice having been objectionable also because the hooks in many cases were not opened up to their original shape again and because the bending was apt to cause tearing of the stitching, or even breakage of the hooks or at least the weakening of them to the point Where they were apt to break in the subsequent hanging of the draperies.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a protective pocket of simple and economical construction and one which permits easy application and removal, but nevertheless very secure fastening onto the hooks in a simple manner so that there will be no danger of any of these protective pockets coming off during the cleaning process.

Another object is to provide a pocket of the kind mentioned which is universally applicable to all of the different styles of drapery hooks with equal facility and when properly applied is just as firmly locked in place on the hook of one style as on either of the other styles.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which- Fig. 1 is a side view of one of the protective pockets removed from the hook;

Fig. 2 is a face view of the suitably perforated blank of leather or other flexible sheet material used for the body of the pocket;

Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are side views of three different styles of drapery hooks, indicating in dotted lines the position of the pocket enclosing the bail of the hook and indicating in section in which of the two 1aterally spaced holes in the pocket the retaining cord is applied for the different styles of hooks for most secure fastening of the pockets, and

Fig. 6 is an inner side view of the top hem portion of a drapery illustrating three drapery hooks with protective pockets applied thereto in accordance with my invention and retained in place thereon by a cord extending through the pockets inside the bails of the hooks, as illustrated in Figs. 3-5.

The same reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts throughout the views.

Referring to the drawing, the protective pockets are indicated generally by the reference nuof the drapery, there is no danger of any of the- 2. meral applied to the projecting hooks. 8 that are stitched, as indicated at 9, by means of their attaching portions In to the upper hem portion I I of the drapery, and I2 is a flexible cord which extends through the bails of the hooks 8 and through either one of two sets of holes I3 and It provided in registering relation in the opposed side walls I5 and I6 of the pocket to fasten the pockets securely and eliminate likelihood of their coming off during the cleaning processes. Leather blanks like that indicated at B in Fig. 2, foldable on the center line ab, are at present considered to be best suited for the making of these protective pockets, but any other equally flexible and durable materials capable of withstanding the cleaning solutions as well as leather may be used. The folded blank requires sewing only along the top, front, and lower marginal edge portions, as indicated at IT in Fig. 1 to complete the pocket. The hole indicated at I8 on the center line ab is the one through which the free end of the drapery hook is entered in the first operation of applying the pocket to the hook, and after that the cord I2 is passed through either the holes E3 or the holes I4, depending upon the style or size of the particular hooks used on the drapery. Three different styles are shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, and in the smallest hook, shown in Fig. 3, the innermost holes I3 are used, but in the bigger hooks of Figs. 4 and 5, the best results are obtained if the cord is passed through the outer holes I4, although there is still not too much danger of the pocket coming off if an inexperienced or careless operator should happen to insert the cord I2 in the holes I3. Knots, like that indicated at I9, are made in the protruding free ends of the cord 2 at opposite ends of the drapery to keep the cord from coming out during the cleaning processes, and, of course, it is necessary to untie only one of these knots to permit withdraw-a1 of the cord when the pockets are to be removed afterward.

In operation, the cleaner merely applies a pocket I to each hook 8 by slipping the free end of the hook through the hole I8 in the back of the pocket and getting the whole bail portion of the hook inside the pocket, as indicated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. A cord I2 can be threaded through the holes It or holes I4 on one after another of the pockets as they are applied to the hooks or after all of the pockets for the-hooks on a drapery have been so applied, whereby positively to retain the pockets in place on the hooks. Then, if the ends of the cord I2 are knotted, as at I9, at both ends pockets coming off during the cleaning process and the pockets protect the drapery material against snagging of the hooks therein, thereby making the pockets pay for themselves in a short time. Furthermore, the little time consumed in applying these pockets to the hooks is a very small fraction of'the time it took torbend'the free ends of the hooks inwardly to render them harm: less, not to mention the usually greater amount of time consumed afterward in trying to get the hooks bent open again to the ln iginalslj ape, nor the danger involved in either of these bending operations of tearing the hook anphoring stitches or breaking the hook or weakenin ttosnch an extent that it was apt to be. M086 in the.sub,- sequent opening or later in the hanging or the drapery.

It is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understanding of the objects and; advan tages of my invention. The appended claims have been drawn to, coyerall legitimate modifications. and adaptations.

I claim:

mb a ea wi h d w-P rr ha in cured thereto a. plurality of laterally spaced, substantially parallel, vertically disposed drapery hooks each comprising an, attaching. portion secured to the drapery and having a projecting. hook portionprojecting'inwardly from the top hem portion thereof, of a plurality of hook enclosing protective pockets, one fo enclosure of theprojecting hook portion of each of said drapery hooks, apo c ket retaining member that is elon-s a e nd ex ends. e hwi ethe on mpp tion of the drapery an'd throngh allof the pockets and the bailsof; the hook portions of the. hooks d p d ere n are lea ab e m an ho in said pocket retaining member against endwise dispiacement preterit withdrawal thereof from said-pockets.

In m lma ha w th a ra e i cured thereto aplurality of laterally spaced'substantially parallel, vertically disposed drapery hooks each comp s n tta n portion. cured to the rape a hav n a Projecting 1190K portion projeeting; inwardly from the top hem portion thereof,of a pli rality of hook enclosing. protective pockets, one for enclosure of the projecting hook portion of each of said drapery hooks, and a flexible cord extendingv lengthwise r of the top hem portion ofthe drapery and throu h, holes provided in the opposite side walls of each pocket, the holes being located within. the area, of the ball ofthe hook portion of thehook enclosed in said pocket, the protruding ends of the cord beingknotted to prevent displacement.

3. In combination with a draperyhaving se; cured thereto a plurality of laterally spaced, substantially parallel, vertically, disposed drapery hooks each comprising an, attaching portion se cured to the drapery. and having a projectinghook portion projecting inwardly from the top hem p e o o aplur l ty o hoo enclosin protective pockets, one for enclosure of the projecting hook portion, of each of said, drapery hooks, each pocket having a, singie small hole pros.

, o d it h ho vided in its rear edge portion so that the whole-projecting hook portion of the a r hpgkz s nc osed-in th a e or ar yr m the ho e a ro ls tr iainir memb ha elong te a d. exten s sqsthw s o he a em,

rt on of h dra r and hr u h a l of h page and heb ifqt the 1 6 1; gf tionsor hehooks disposed therein and releasable,

was mesa. reamin wer against endwise displacement to prevent withdrawal thereof from said pockets.

4. In combination with a drapery having secured thereto a plurality of laterally spaced, substantially parallel, vertically disposed drapery hooks each comprising an attaching portion seciired to the drapery and havinga projecting hook portion, projecting inwardly from the top hem portion thereof, of a plurality of hook enclosing protective pockets, one for enclosure of the projecting hook portion of each of said draperyhooks, each pocket having a single small hole provided in rear, edge portion to admit the hook so that thewhole projecting hook portion of the drapery hook is; enclosed in the pocket forwardly from thehole, each. of; said pockets having also a pair of registering small holes provided in the opposite side walls of the pocket spaced forwardly a predetermined distance from the first mentioned hole which distance is less than the width of the bail portion of the hook portion of the drapery hook enclosed in the pocket, and a pocket retaining member that is elongated and extends lengthwise of the top hem portion of the drapery and through the pairs of holes in all of said pockets.

5. In combination with a drapery having secured thereto a plurality of laterally spaced, substantially parallel, vertically disposed drapery hooks each comprising an attaching portion secured to the drapery and having a projecting hook portion projecting inwardly from the top hem portion thereof, of a plurality of hook enclosing protective pockets, one for enclosure of the projecting hook portion of each of said drapery hooks, each pocket having a single small hole provided in its rear edge portion to admit the hook so that the Whole projecting hook portion of the drapery hook is enclosed in the pocket forwardly from the hole, each of said pockets having a plurality of pairs of registering small holes provided in the opposite side Walls of the pocket in different forwardly spaced relation to the first mentioned hole, and a pocket retaining member that is elongated and extends lengthwise of the top hem portion of the drapery and through selected pairs of registering small holes in the several pockets, which holes are so located relative to the bail portion of the hook portion of the drapery hook enclosed in the pocket that the retaining member passes through the said bail.

6. In combination with a drapery having secured thereto a plurality of laterally spaced, substantially parallel, vertically disposed drapery hooks each comprising an attaching portion secured to the drapery andhaving a projecting hook portion projecting inwardly from the top hem portion thereof, of a pair of plies of medium stiff sheet material abutting the attaching portion and,

completely covering the opposite sides of the projecting hook portion of each of said drapery hooks for protection of the hookportions against snagging the drapery material, means for securing said pliestogether in such relationship, and aflexible cord passed through the projecting hook portions of all of the hooks in order, keeping said protective coverings in place, I

7. In combination with a drapery having secnred thereto aplurality of laterally spaced, substantially parallel, vertically disposed drapery hookseach comprising an attaching portion secured to the drapery and having a projecting hook portion projecting inwardly from the top hem portion thereof, of a pair of plies of medium stifl sheet material abutting the attaching portion and completely, cOYering the opposite sides ofthe projecting hook portion of each of said drapery hooks for protection of the hook portions against snagging the drapery material, means securing the plies tgether to form a pocket, and a single means passed through all of the hook portions and pockets for jointly securing all of the pockets on the drapery against displacement from the hooks.

8. In combination with a drapery having secured thereto a plurality of laterally spaced, substantially parallel, vertically disposed drapery hooks each comprising an attaching portion secured to the drapery and having a projecting hook portion projecting inwardly from the top hem portion thereof, of a plurality of hook enclosing protective pockets, one for enclosure of each of said hooks, disposed in abutment with the attaching portion and enclosing the projecting hook portion and removably secured thereto, and a single means passed through and removably securing the plurality of pockets against displacement from the hooks.

9. In combination with a drapery having secured thereto a plurality of laterally spaced, substantially parallel, vertically disposed drapery hooks each comprising an attaching portion secured to the drapery and having a projecting hook portion projecting inwardly from the top hem portion thereof, of a plurality of hook enclosing protective pockets, one for enclosure of each of said hooks, disposed in abutment with the attaching portion and enclosing the projecting hook portion and removably secured thereto, and a single flexible cord passed through the pockets in order for jointly securing all of the pockets on the drapery against displacement from the hooks.

10. In combination, a drapery hook comprising an elongated substantially straight attaching portion adapted to be secured to the top hem portion of a drapery, and a hook portion projecting from the attaching portion intermediate the ends thereof in a plane at right angles to the plane of the attaching portion and the associated drapery, and a protective pocket for enclosure of the projecting hook portion comprising a generally rectangular body of medium stiff sheet material folded at the middle and permanently secured together along the three abutting edge portions, the pocket thus formed having a small opening provided therein approximately on the fold line intermediate the ends of the pocket, through which the projecting hook portion of the drapery hook is slipped endwise so that the pocket is disposed with the fold line portion in abutment with the attaching portion of the drapery hook and the projecting hook portion is disposed inside the pocket for protection thereof, there being registering small openings provided in the opposite side walls of the pocket in a predetermined laterally spaced relation to the aforesaid small opening, in which registering openings is received a hook-retaining cross-member passing through the bail portion of the hook portion to prevent withdrawal of said hook portion from the pocket.

11. In combination, a drapery hook comprising an elongated substantially straight attaching portion adapted to be secured to the top hem portion of a drapery, and a hook portion projecting from the attaching portion intermediate the ends thereof in a plane at right angles to the plane of the attaching portion and the associated drapery, and a protective pocket for enclosure of the projectlng hook portion comprising a generally rectangular body of medium stiff sheet material folded at the middle and permanently secured together along th three abutting edge portions, the pocket thus formed having a small opening provided therein approximately on the fold line intermediate the ends of the pocket, through which the projecting hook portion of the drapery hook is slipped endwise so that the pocket is disposed with the fold line portion in abutment with the attaching portion of the drapery hook and the projecting hook portion is disposed inside the pocket for protection thereof, there being a plurality of pairs of registering small openings provided in the opposite side walls of the pocket in difi'erent laterally spaced relation to the aforesaid small opening, one pair of registering small openings receiving a hook-retaining cross-member passing through the bail portion of the hook portion to prevent withdrawal thereof from the pocket.

12. For application on the projecting hook portion of a drapery hook in abutment with its attaching portion, a protective pocket comprising a generally rectangular body of medium stiff sheet material folded at the middle and permanently secured together along the three abutting edge portions, th pocket thus formed having an entrance hole provided therein approximately on the fold line intermediate the ends of said pocket, said hole being of a size generally corresponding to the cross-section dimensions of the rod material forming the projecting hook portion and through which hole the projecting hook portion is adapted to be passed into said pocket, and said pocket being further provided with registering holes in the opposite walls thereof so located as to lie within the projecting hook portion when in said pocket and adapted to receive a crossmember to prevent accidental withdrawal of the projecting hook portion from said pocket.

13. For application on the projecting hook portion of a drapery hook in abutment with its attaching portion, a generally rectangular protective pocket that is closed on all four edges and is composed of a pair of plies of medium stiif sheet material forming the opposite walls thereof, said pocket having a small entrance hole in one edge intermediate the ends of said pocket, said hole being of a size generally corresponding to the cross-section dimensions of the rod ma-- terial forming the projecting hook portion and through which hole the projecting hook portion is adapted to be passed into said pocket, and said pocket being further provided with registering holes in the opposite walls thereof so located as to lie within the projecting hook portion when in said pocket and adapted to receive a crossmember to prevent accidental withdrawal of the projecting hook portion from said pocket.

JOSEPH WIECZOREK.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 231,618 Rosenberg Aug. 24, 1880 763,780 Nachman June 28, 1904 1,615,059 Wulfing Jan. 18, 1927 2,297,324 Roger Sept. 29, 1942 2,412,608 Fridolph Dec. 17, 1946 2,472,094 Cowles June 7, 1949 

